How to Get Certified on a Heavy Rigid Truck

Every day, trucks deliver goods to every part of Australia. Though the methods of business and commerce have changed dramatically over the last few decades, the methods of shipping have been remarkably stable. Freight is carried to Australia from overseas by air or by sea. Goods produced in Australia can also be shipped to other parts of the country by sea or by air. No matter how they get to a port, they have to then be shipped by land. Typically, that means they’re driven in a truck. Practically every product that is in a store or ordered online is delivered via truck.

That’s why trucking jobs pay fairly well; they are part of a stable industry that seems to be fairly resistant to the changing economy. As online sales boom, brick and mortar stores are suffering. However, that has just caused a shift in the way trucks deliver goods. Instead of large 18-wheelers delivering everything, many are delivered in smaller, heavy rigid vehicles. If you’re looking to break into a stable and high-demand industry, you need to get a heavy rigid licence in Melbourne.

On-Road Driving

You can normally obtain a licence for a heavy rigid vehicle in a one-day course. The course usually takes about six hours, and will cover everything from driving theory to actually navigating the truck on the road. A heavy rigid vehicle requires some practice to drive, but if you already have a driver’s licence, you’ll likely be able to pick it up in a few hours. The fastest way to get behind the wheel of a heavy rigid vehicle is to choose one with an automatic transmission.

A manual transmission vehicle might take you a little bit longer before you are ready for on-road driving. When you are taking the course, you will be taught the theory and mechanics of the vehicle. Then you’ll have to learn some practical skills for driving it on the road. However, when it comes to a heavy rigid truck, driving it is only half of the equation.

Securing the Load

You need to secure the load you are carrying as well as possible. When you drive a heavy rigid vehicle, you will likely be shipping goods to customers and clients. They will not want their goods to be damaged or broken, so you need to make sure the load is secure. You will also learn how to pack it for speed and efficiency. If you can load and unload your vehicle quickly, you’ll be able to take more deliveries, earn more money, and get home faster.

For example, if you have ten deliveries to make, you’ll learn to plan a route. When your route is planned, you can then load the last deliveries into the truck first and the rest in ascending order. Finally, you will load the first delivery last so that it is the first one you can unload. Then as you make your deliveries, you’ll just work your way to the back of the truck. Such a packing system will save you time trying to navigate around other deliveries.